Perrydox.com is devoted to the pursuit of truth, whether plain or paradoxical, whether simple or sublime, or simply absurd yet absolute.
PHall | October 27, 2018
His version doesn’t say enough, but what it does say is meaningful and a good start. I’m referring to a poem by Ralph Waldo Emerson – “How Do You Measure Success?”. To make it more meaningful, I added scriptures which show who has lived the most successful life: How do you measure success? To laugh […]
PHall | October 26, 2018
In reading Jeremiah 18 I got reminded of a valuable lesson; especially for a religious or even political discussion. First the text: Jeremiah 18:13-15: “Therefore, this is what the LORD says: Ask among the nations, who has heard things like these? Virgin Israel has done a most horrible thing. Does the snow of Lebanon ever […]
PHall | October 26, 2018
Marriage Lessons from an Unlikely Source Thanks to one of our teachers (John Meadows) for doing the unexpected, by using a passage about an impending divorce, to teach about having a successful marriage (Matthew 1:19-24). First the background: Joseph is betrothed or engaged to Mary. She is miraculously pregnant; but all he knows is what […]
PHall | October 24, 2018
Interesting observation from D. A. Carson, “Jesus didn’t choose a supper that was culturally neutral”. That forced me to ask, “What are the implications?” Either that means we can choose culturally significant to emblems (or insignificant since it doesn’t matter). One church offered hamburgers and milkshakes because the only “meaning” was getting people in. Paul […]
PHall | October 24, 2018
1) First, “What is a map?” For the younger generation, a map is a paper GPS that you have to “read” (maps don’t verbally tell you when to turn). The same is true when studying a Bible (and I don’t mean an app reading to you). Don’t just listen to others tell you what to […]
PHall | October 24, 2018
If you leave one congregation for another because you just aren’t getting involved: 1) You probably won’t get involved at the new place because “you always follow you”. 2) If you do get involved at the new place, you could have gotten involved at the old place. 3) It is true it can be the […]
PHall | October 24, 2018
Are topical (where you take verses from all over the Bible) or expository (stay with one text) better? Here’s a story, probably a preacher’s-story, but still a good one: 1) “Judas hung himself”; 2) “Go and do likewise”; 3) “do what thou doest quickly”. The lead in is two friends talking about Bible study and […]
PHall | October 24, 2018
In my younger days, you should have seen me dunk! I soared, did one-handed and two-handed dunks, 360’s, and others. I was amazing on that 8 foot goal! What? The goal is supposed to be 10 foot high? But then I couldn’t dunk! But then I couldn’t be amazing! Standards. Objective truths. They ruin everything! […]
PHall | October 24, 2018
This isn’t about answers or interpretations. This is about curiosity, questions, becoming better readers, and paying attention, even to introductions. 1 Timothy 1:1 1) Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the commandment of God our Saviour, and Christ Jesus our hope; 2) unto Timothy, my true child in faith: Grace, mercy, peace, from […]
PHall | October 24, 2018
Why? Why is “love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind” the most important command (Deuteronomy 6:5; Matthew 22:37-38; Mark 12:30-31; Luke 10:27)? Jesus didn’t teach anything revolutionary when stating this. The expert in the law gave this same answer (Luke 10:27). So why? [ ] The fact it follows (and is […]